Top Ten Maritime News Stories 23/07/2015

Seacurus Daily: Top Ten Maritime News Stories 23/07/2015

1. Intertanko Tackles Nigerian Ban

The global tanker association, Intertanko, has demanded the Nigerian National Petroleum Corp (NNPC) overturn a ban that has hit 113 tankers. The ban was handed down on July 15 as a directive from President Muhammadu Buhari, in what traders said could be part of efforts to crack down on illegal crude oil trading. Intertanko general counsel Michael White wrote, “Intertanko protests in the strongest possible way that these bans should be lifted with immediate effect…"

http://goo.gl/U0fSKe

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2. IMB Reports Piracy Spike

Global piracy attacks for the first six months of this year has spiked compared with the same period last year, the IMB said in its 2015 half-yearly report. Total number of incidents for first-half 2015 was 134, up from 116 incidents the same period last year, the report said. Among piracy hotspots, five regions dominated – Indonesia reported 54 cases, Vietnam 13 and Bangladesh, Malaysia and Nigeria 11 each. Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia, has remained the worst.

http://goo.gl/wUhck0

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3. Somali Piracy Tinder Could Reignite

According to the United Nations Development Programme in Somalia (UNDP Somalia), 67% of Somalis aged 14-29 are unemployed. This is particularly worrisome given that over 70 percent of Somalia’s population is under the age of 30. There are fears of new threats emerging as a result of the enmeshment of pirate groups with jihadist networks. There is a risk that impressionable, disillusioned young men could be radicalised,” it warned.

http://goo.gl/Aw90N5

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4. Security Companies Making Own Guardcons

BIMCO claims some private maritime security companies (PMSCs) are using ‘non-authentic’ copies of its Guardcon contract. The shipowner’s body says in a few cases these "homemade" versions of Guardcon use wording that is different to that found in the genuine document and may lessen the liabilities and responsibilities of PMSCs. "As these changes are not clearly marked in the text…it may be quite difficult for a shipowner to detect the differences," BIMCO warned.

http://goo.gl/OdjFtU

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5. Charities Working Together for Seafarers

‘Lip service is all very nice, but the industry must do much more to improve the quality of life, and physical well-being, of all seafarers.’Four benefiting charities of London International Shipping Week (LISW15) have collaborated to put on an afternoon of debate on the latest issues in maritime welfare, to take place during the week-long programme of industry events. Apostleship of the Sea, Mission to Seafarers, Sailors’ Society and Seafarers UK will each chair a panel debate.

http://goo.gl/w8YmHf

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6. Box Ship Fined for Food Waste

The boxship ANL Kardinia has been fined A$4,000 ($3,000) for dumping food waste in February onto the Great Barrier Reef. The ship’s master was fined an additional A$300.Australian Maritime Safety Authority CEO Mick Kinley told shipowners to be vigilant when transiting Australian waters.“These prosecutions are a reminder to the shipping community if they flout the regulations they can be caught and prosecuted,” he said in a statement.

http://goo.gl/5aPWPz

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7. Fire Ravages Freedon of the Seas

A fire hit Royal Caribbean’s "Freedom of the Seas" Wednesday during on a seven-night cruise out of Cape Canaveral, Florida to the Caribbean. Royal Caribbean International said in a statement that the fire broke in a mechanical area aboard the ship as it arrived in Falmouth, Jamaica. The ship’s fire suppression system was immediately activated, which contained and extinguished the fire. One crewmember sustained burns, but all guests have been accounted for.

http://goo.gl/lIrjVv

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8. Cruise Safety Legislation Coming

U.S. politicians have introduced legislation to increase the safety of cruise ship passengers. The Cruise Passenger Protection Act (CPPA) would build on the passenger safety measures put in place by the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act, which is intended to clarify and strengthen the crime reporting requirements and the video surveillance requirements and to improve medical standards.

http://goo.gl/LCUN7P

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9. Shipping Company Suffers Financial Hit

An unauthorised withdrawal of some $736,000 from the bank account of Atlantic Navigation’s subsidiary has been uncovered by the company, and a police report has been lodged. The unauthorised withdrawal of the funds from the bank account of Atlantic Maritime Group FZE were purportedly transferred to accounts of unrelated third parties of the group, according to Singapore-listed Atlantic Navigation.

http://goo.gl/IIO9hM

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10. Singapore Tackling Piracy and Terror

Singapore has launched new high-speed vessels to better counter the growing maritime threats the country is facing.The Singapore Police Coast Guard (PCG) inducted 11 new patrol interdiction boats (PIBs) and six second generation PK-class interceptors into the service. The vessels were commissioned by city-state’s deputy prime minister, home minister and coordinating minister for national security Teo Chee Hean.

http://goo.gl/upmK6Z

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